“If this just lasted a couple of years, I think a majority could have made it through pretty comfortably,” Elsner said. “But it's been over two years now and we don't see any hope that things are improving. These companies were doing good business and got caught up in a bad economy.”

The overall number of contractors and remodelers who are in financial trouble is not known. But Elsner said that companies that have gone through their cash reserves waiting out the economy might now be in distress.

If Bexar County Courthouse records are any indication, consumers have gotten caught up, too.

Attorney Sean McNelis said his client Scott Hebert hired River Oaks Pools nearly a year ago, paying $84,500 of an $89,000 contract. Hebert now has an abandoned, half-finished pool — basically a hole in his backyard — that will cost at least another $60,000 to complete. He also is concerned that subcontractors or suppliers could file liens.

“It's been dead silent on their end,” McNelis said. “There's nothing left for us to do other than to file a lawsuit.”

The company's attorney, Charles Scholz, said the company is trying to honor its contracts.

“They're trying to finish jobs,” he said. “They're struggling, but they're still working and have taken on a couple of new projects. Obviously, there are a lot of dissatisfied customers out there.”

Scholz said River Oaks has between 15 and 20 projects in the works and is hoping for a “capital infusion” from the sale of property.

“I think it's cash flow,” he said. “You're blowing and going and you taking on a lot of projects. If it doesn't flow, you're in big trouble.”

Three subcontractors of River Oaks Pools also filed a lawsuit against the company this month. Prestige Gunite of South Texas, Texas Elite Specialties and Uno Pool Construction did work for River Oaks at homes in Bexar, Kendall, Kerr and Bandera counties, but weren't paid, according to the lawsuit.

“There are a number of these jobs where the swimming pools have not been completed,” said their Houston-based attorney, Jack Garland Jr.

Casa Linda Remodeling was one of the city's largest and best-known remodeling firms. But now a sign at the company's showroom on San Pedro Avenue simply reads, “Closed.”

The company lost a commercial building it owned on Blanco Road at the monthly foreclosure auction last week, according to local foreclosure listing service RexReport.com. And a spec home it built in 2007 in Terrell Hills, priced at more than $1.1 million, also could be headed for the auction block. Agent remarks on the listing say, “Must sell now. Pre-foreclosure.”

Clients William and Deborah Sherman sued Casa Linda Remodeling in late May. Court documents say the company signed a contract to remodel the Shermans' home for $71,200. The couple paid more than $21,000 and had their kitchen demolished in March, but haven't heard from Casa Linda since.

Many in the building industry were shocked that Casa Linda closed down.

“There is not a finer individual, a more Christian man that you've ever met in your life than Bob Earl,” said Becky Oliver, GSABA executive vice president, of Casa Linda's co-founder. “In this economy, the best of the best can go down. It is sad. He is absolutely heartbroken. It can happen to anyone in this economy.”

Oliver said Dream Decks, which was located off U.S. 281 near the airport, was one of the largest deck companies in San Antonio before it closed.

Niño said clients have the right under state law to receive a list of suppliers and subcontractors for their project. He recommends calling everyone on the list to make sure the contractor doesn't owe anyone money.

Attorney Carl Pipoly said those who have lost money to a contractor must act quickly before assets are disposed of, but face an uphill battle.

“They're going out of business 99 percent of the time because they have no money,” he said.

Often, the best hope is that the contractor was insured or in a partnership where one of the partners could be liable.

And Dean Taylor, executive director of the Better Business Bureau in San Antonio, said customers looking for someone to do construction work can check a company's BBB rating and licensing. But even that isn't foolproof.

“Sometimes, they've been around for a long time and then they're gone,” Taylor said. “Nobody is going to have a crystal ball for that.”